Wolves transfer news: Cristiano Ronaldo 'fails' with bid to stop Jhon Arias moving to Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers allegedly only moved to the brink of signing Jhon Arias after he defied the advances of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Although Vitor Pereira has recently voiced his frustrations over the lack of incomings at Molineux, it appears that Wolves are closing in on Fluminense winger Arias.

The Colombia international has already left Brazil to make his way to Europe, where he will undergo a medical and look to secure a visa before being confirmed as a Wolves player.

However, according to legendary Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla, finalising a deal was far from plain sailing for Wolves.

How did Ronaldo try to scupper Wolves?

Speaking on ESPN Colombia, it was claimed that Ronaldo made an effort to try to convince Arias to instead sign for Al-Nassr.

As per their X account, Asprilla said: "Cristiano Ronaldo called Jhon Arias to join him in Arabia before signing with Wolverhampton."

The outlet also acknowledges that Arias rejected a "massive sum" of money to join the Portuguese superstar in the Saudi Pro League.

Instead, Arias has shown preference to moving to the Premier League in what is his first venture outside of South American football.

Earlier this year, Ronaldo played alongside a fellow Colombian attacker in the form of Jhon Duran, but he has since made the transfer to Fenerbahce.

A massive coup for Wolves

While it appears that Arias was never tempted to be swayed by more money in the Middle East, it is still a notable development that he has seemingly said no to Ronaldo.

Arias is seemingly in line to act as a straight replacement for Matheus Cunha in the Wolves final third, something else that may have played into this thinking.

From Fluminense's perspective, it is plausible to feel that they have missed out on a bigger transfer fee from Al-Nassr, but there was never any suggestion that they were prepared to stand in Arias's way of moving to Wolves over the Saudi Arabian club.

A transfer to Wolves is now expected to be finalised later this week.

Written by
Darren Plant